Autoclave

Aim: Study of laboratory equipments – Autoclave

Four parameters of steam sterilization: steam, pressure, temperature, and time.

High temperature steam (121 °C) at pressure of 15 psi for about 20 minutes.

1)Check water level, Coil should be dipped completely, keep level below sample container.

2)Wrap in paper – scalpel,  spatula, glass rod, glass pipette  – keep inside autoclave bag.

3)Conical flask – fill half with liquids. Aluminium foil, paper to use as lid.

4)Use only borosilicate glassware for high autoclave temperatures and pressures.

5)Wait 5 minutes before removing dry glassware from the autoclave,

        Liquids removed too soon may boil and overflow the vessel, 

6) Do not put hot glassware, on to a cold bench top.,   vessel bottom may crack.

7) Never autoclave items containing corrosives (e.g., acids, bases, phenol),

    solvents or volatiles (e.g., ethanol, methanol, chloroform)

    or radioactive materials.

8) Never autoclave hormones, vitamins etc. heat-labile compounds.